comp 26)) Sit Down and Think ((comp26

[BiG ToE-3DT]

_Sit Down and Think_

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/DJBiGToE/551090435_dc43c4974c_b.jpg

The idea,
Because it’s so hard to come up with good ideas these days, I figure it’s time we sat down and animated some up. So here is the idea. Animate a character of your choice sitting down and thinking. They can sit on the ground/floor or in a chair; it’s all up to you. The one thing I ask of you is to show your character thinking hard and coming up with an idea. That’s it for now.
Rules

- The due date is May 26th, a Monday, 12 midnight (GMT). Depending on the number of finished entries, there may be a final entry thread, so keep your eyes open for it.

- Minimum animation: your animation needs to include a minimum of 5 seconds, with or without music, do more if your bored.
-
- Recommended screen resolution in 320x240 (you can do 640x480 if you want, but keep render times in mind).

- You can post W.I.P.s but you are only allowed one complete entry. That link is also final. You can and should post your wip’s to get help.

- Websites where you post your finals is up to you. (megaupload.com)(zshare)

- Remember, it's about animation, use your time for animation, not to get the best render possible, unless you can afford it.

- Use of plug-ins, ask first. Main animation Must be key framed (hand animated)

- Use QuickTime. It will allow everyone to view your hard work, plus it gives everyone the chance to go through your animation frame by frame to see how you did what you did

- You must post a render of some sort with your final entry post; also include a screen grab with key frames visible.

- Voting will be as follows -
- Vote on what best displays the motion -

First place (3) points
Second place (2) points
Third place (1) points

Prizes:(only available with 6 or more final entries)

Winner gets to choose one of the following options:
- 12 month subscription to the 2DCreative magazine
- 12 month subscription to the 3DCreative magazine

Good luck!


BiG ToE

[chubu]

ok, sounds cool, count me in :)
BTW - the 35 in may?! is that a new date?;P

btw -bigtoe - did you see all the ideas me and others wrote in the dancing food thread?

[BiG ToE-3DT]

fixed the date.

Yeah I saw the ideas, all good, but at the same time, they where going to be a bit hard. These speed animation challenges are all about the animating, not the modeling, so I want to try and keep the modeling part of this down to a minnimum. Unless someone has a model and doesn't mind others using it, then thats another story.

Which reminds me, if anyone needs or wants a human character to play with, I have one I don't mind sharing.

[penguins]

Yip-piiiiiii
Another speed animation. Fun fun fun. I am definitely going to get in on this one. Humm where to begin. Back soon with updates.

btw Big toe Thanks for keeping this challenge alive!! :dance:

[Blytheye]

This sounds very interesting. I know it would be bad of me to prioritise this over my coursework, but heck this sounds like more fun!

Great idea Big Toe, I look forward to animating :)
Henrah

[chubu]

Which reminds me, if anyone needs or wants a human character to play with, I have one I don't mind sharing.


in what software your charecter? max? maya?

[Ghiro]

i'm in!

[Ties]

It's alive! count me in

[Ghiro]

BiG ToE-3DT i have a question about the music.
is there any problem about having music from a movie or serie in the animation? thinking about i'm not going to use the animation for no other purposes than this challenge and for studying.

thanks.

:dance:

EDIT: and, i loved the theme ashashashashshahsaas, i belive that very funny things can come out of it.

[BiG ToE-3DT]

in what software your charecter? max? maya?

well its just the mesh made in max, so I can export it as an obj, then everyone should be able to open it.

Ghiro: you can use any music you want for this.

[chubu]

well its just the mesh made in max, so I can export it as an obj, then everyone should be able to open it.

i use MAX so anyway i will be happy to look at it :)

[BiG ToE-3DT]

here's the max version. I'm going to try and get the attachment option to let me upload obj's so others can play with it.

[BiG ToE-3DT]

here's the texture is anyone needs it.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/DJBiGToE/armyBoy1024-1.jpg

[Blytheye]

Great mesh and texture job Big Toe, and thanks for sharing! Now I've just gotta figure out how to rig this guy....

[chubu]

10x big toe - i am at work right now but as soon as i get home - i'll start animating :)

[lampshadehead]

Awesome BigToe! Thanks for getting this going. I'm really looking forward to it, I did a bit of animating last night to get 'the fever!' Here's a nice free to use rigged squash and stretch character for blender. http://virgiliovasconcelos.com/otto/

All you need to do is download him, open the blend file, then on your timeline buttons hit record and start posing. cool!

I'm looking forward to this one and I will definately submit a finished entry before the deadline. :dance:

[Ties]

here you've got rigs for maya max blender and xsi http://www.11secondclub.com/resources/
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj275/kaaskaas/moom.jpg and on highend3d.com you've got MooM and many more free rigs

[penguins]

Wow Love the Participation in this challenge.
I am thinking cavemen. Theres nothing like re-inventing the wheel.
:dance:

[lampshadehead]

Here's my first WIP! I'm using the free Otto model and rig in Blender. This is a quick test to get the feel of the subject. I think I'll need to story board the animation a bit to make sure things are happening at the right speed. Animating is fun! Woo!

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a162/lampshadehead/?action=view&current=tmp0001_0250.flv

[DerekSc]

I'm in once I get a few life things out of the way.

[BiG ToE-3DT]

if anyone needs a mesh to play with, here is one. Its the same as the max file I uploaded before, but in obj format.

[thee]

BigToe I don't know if it's my machine or maya but I think on the obj the uv's got messed up http://i25.tinypic.com/w8p9ia.jpg

[BiG ToE-3DT]

I think what happeneds was, when creating the obj, I had to remove most of the stuff from the scene to the file size down, the unwrap must have gone with it.

good news is, you don't really need it to animate.

[thee]

http://i30.tinypic.com/jpvbco.gifyour right bigToe. Who needs uv's if all you need is a pencil.

[Ties]

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj275/kaaskaas/3dttl.jpg
I believe that 2d is the base for 3d in animation.

[Keylitho]

I think what happeneds was, when creating the obj, I had to remove most of the stuff from the scene to the file size down, the unwrap must have gone with it.

good news is, you don't really need it to animate.

Hey Big Toe.... That army boy's uv's are just fine on mine.. they are just like they should be..

[BiG ToE-3DT]

are you using the obj version or the max version?

[chubu]

this comp started promising...
where is everybody?....

well, after a busy week at work,
i finally got the time to "sit down and think" :p about this challenge and my scene.

i am not sure if it is ok to post it here or should i create a thread
in the work in progress thread, but here goes.
(big toe - if you want me to remove this entry to w.i.p thread, just say so and i will :))

i had several ideas, but this is the winner:
the idea is a man looking at an instruction manual on how to assamble an IKEA table, after he did it with not so much success.

crits and improve ideas are welcome

[BiG ToE-3DT]

this is the right place for it.

As for a tiny crit, it would be funny to see him struggling to get a chair together, while looking at the instructions, then maybe in a puff of smoke or something you see the instructions fall to the floor and the chair is put together, but the man doesn't know it. He then picks up the instructions and sits on the chair to read it while stratching his head.

[chubu]

this is the right place for it.

As for a tiny crit, it would be funny to see him struggling to get a chair together, while looking at the instructions, then maybe in a puff of smoke or something you see the instructions fall to the floor and the chair is put together, but the man doesn't know it. He then picks up the instructions and sits on the chair to read it while stratching his head.

i didnt get the "puff of smoke" thingie you suggested...
how the chair get built? by magic? :)

[BiG ToE-3DT]

yep, the "puff" would just be a cloud that makes it hard to see whats going on, then, like magic the chair would be built.

[chubu]

well, i think i will pass on that idea becuse i am not sure i'm even gonna finish what i have in time for the contest to end.
but 10xs for the idea, maybe i will do it after i'll finish this one.
here is my starting pose. probobly start the animation tommarow

[evolution]

Have some free time and thought I might give this a go for once rather than just hanging out on the sideline! I've started blocking and some inbetweens
here's a youtube version for the time being more to come soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktRsCGRzyzw

UPDATE: Last update for the day need to study for exams tomorrow! Just a bit more work on the blocking an beginning in betweens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNCJYlstySs

[lampshadehead]

Cool job so far on both of those WIPs, chubu and evolution! Keep up the great pace and bang out those entries!

[evolution]

Thanks lampshadehead! I'm continuing to work at it which means another update! :dance:

Getting closer to what i'm after still need to tweak some timing and holds then on to smoothing out the arcs an cleaning anything else up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkOYizZCBLY

[BiG ToE-3DT]

I'm going to try and get some stuff done over the weekend, but don't hold your breath.

edit: got started-
http://media.putfile.com/test-002
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g129/DJBiGToE/001-1.jpg

[evolution]

Glad to see you got to put some work in Big-toe! Still looking for some updates from Chubu :)

Will hopefully get some time in the next few days to work on my entry some more so any critiques would be welcomed!

[BiG ToE-3DT]

evolution I just watched yours again, Your off to a great start. I'm liking the whole shoulder shrug you got going at the start. I think you might want to speed up the part where he leans back after getting an idea. Right now it looks too slow for the reasction the chair gives. Also, the light bulb falls a bit slow as well, but the roll the light bulb has after falling to good. Not to sure but it looks like the pivoit point of the light bulb might still be in the center, if you move it more towards the center of the large part ofthe bulb, when you go to rotate it, it will give it a weighted feel.

[chubu]

Glad to see you got to put some work in Big-toe! Still looking for some updates from Chubu :)


had a crazy few days... i already started with the poses... hope to update tomaarow

[evolution]

Chubu, completely understandable, I'm in the middle of exams an should probably be working on those but this comp is much more entertaining :)

Big Toe: Thanks a ton for the critiques, I've been toying with with the timing on his lean back so its good to get another pair of eyes on it. I'll make some adjustments based on what you said and update it soon!

[chubu]

well, sorry for the delay... :/
but here is my update:
i hope it works, i saw big toe put his test there so i registered and upload it a few moments ago.

http://media.putfile.com/Thinking-animation-test

still working. need C&C

[BiG ToE-3DT]

its a great start.

[chubu]

its a great start.

do you have anything you can say that i can do to improve it?

[BiG ToE-3DT]

what you have so far, is great. Not sure you can improve on that. The timing looks good, the facial expression, expresses.

edit: The paper has is stiffl. No movement at all. As I watched your clip a fourth time, I noticed it. I think the way you pass the paper from one hand to the other makes the paper seem like its moving with the flow. If you add some small movement to the edges of the paper it will liven it up.

[chubu]

hmmm.. ok 10x! big toe. not so sure how to do it... but i will try somthing. i work in max. what is the best way to do somthing like that? select every corner and FFD box it or bend or somthing? is there a better way?

[BiG ToE-3DT]

you use MAx, so your in luck.

What you can do is use a flex modifier.
First make sure the paper has at least 4 by 4 segments, toss a meshsmooth on it, then collapse the stack. Now add an edit mesh modi, in vert mode, with soft selection turned on, select a few verts from the corners of the paper, the higher the soft selection is, the more of the paper will be effected. Ok, now while your still in vert mode, add a flex modi. That's it. You can play with the values in the flex menu to get the right look, but you won't be able to see anything untill you move the time slider.

[chubu]

oh man thanks! that works great, hope to update soon :)

[chubu]

ok, here is my second update.
i am actually quite finished, the thing that left is go over everything and adjust the small things...
http://media.putfile.com/thinking-test-02

plz tell me what you think.

[Blytheye]

Chubu: great work, fantastic animation! I really like the subtleties of the shoulders and when he's biting his finger :)


I have an idea (based on myself) about a person who is thinking about matters that frustrate him, then he realises a solution so he runs off straight away. I'm trying to show the points where someone can be deeply still whilst thinking and then something will pop into their mind that will stress them a little so they'll twitch or move in some way.

I've blocked out keyframes in flash to work on the timing.
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/9084/sitdownandthinkkeyframedb1.gif

Might add some more inbetweens for little moments building up before going on to Max. What do you guys think so far? Please crit me especially on the timing and the extent of the poses :)
Henrah


EDIT: As of 02:13 I've changed the timing quite a bit so I've updated the link

[BiG ToE-3DT]

the truth is, its hard to judge the timming. Id would go ahead and start the 3d, then get the basic movents and whatnot in there, then it will be easier to tell if the timming is right or not.

[Blytheye]

Ok thanks big toe, I'll get started right away :) I was really enjoying drawing the keyframes in flash so I did some more. Thought I should post it as it's a wip http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/5804/sitdownandthinkkeyframexl6.gif

Be back soon with it blocked out in max,
Henrah

[BiG ToE-3DT]

ok, now with the extra frames added, you can see the timming much better. The start seems abit fast for the movements, but the stand up and puching of the table looks to be on point, then the fall is way too fast. Just slow that down and you will be good to go.

[Blytheye]

You're absolutely right. How's this? http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4360/sitdownandthinkkeyframewg7.gif

Normally, when animating, I would block out the poses in max and try and visualise the timing there, but that always ended in frustration and me concentrating on the inbetweens rather than the keyframes. Now I'm trying a different approach: do as much as I can in flash until I feel ready enough, to avoid hassle in max. I think I feel ready to move onto max now :)

Update soon,
Henrah

[Bob Marley]

Hey everyone,

Thats great to see an animation contest, so i think i ll have a go at it.
I ll use the Moom Rig he looks awesome for this contest.

Good luck everyone.

[Bob Marley]

Quick blocking, just so i start, starting is always the hardest step... then its all good : )

http://upaint.com.au/animation/01.mov

[evolution]

chubu The timings and the expressions are really good, they definitely convey the thinking confused idea. Any plans to make him have any sort of revelation an come up with an idea?

Blytheye The flash blocking looks good timing wise, waiting to see it in max to give you some more feedback! Keep going!

Bob Marley The blocking looks good so far, the expressions are looking good, the one critique I have is the pose he hits at around frame 54 seems a bit odd because his hands are wrapped around his midsection... I think this is more due to the rig because the hands are so big and the torso is small but just a bit of feedback! Keep it coming looking forward to seeing more!

[Brimblashman]

ah pants, I've just seen this and the animation I did this week while learning maya soo nearly fits the brief... but not quite. Will try to get in on this soon tho :)

[Bob Marley]

evolution:Hey, Well you right about that pose I didn't like it anyway, even tho i could have made it tighter.

So here s the new blocking and now I think I m good to go.

Finish date is the 26 and I don't see that much entry, are you all hiding your work???

http://upaint.com.au/animation/02.mov

[Blytheye]

Thanks evolution :)

Looking much better Bob! I like how at the end he has a solution but he carries on thinking about it :)

Brimblashman, I really like your animations at your site, so I'm looking forward to your entry :)


Hopefully I can do some good work on my entry on Sunday as I've been busy lately with doing a group animation for University. I've learnt quite a lot, so I feel better about going into max now :D

Good luck everyone, keep up the good work!
Henrah

[chubu]

chubu The timings and the expressions are really good, they definitely convey the thinking confused idea. Any plans to make him have any sort of revelation an come up with an idea?


hey evolution - i just saw this comment from you. thank you for it. unfortunetly (or maybe not, that depands :)) i got a huge job coming up, and i have to focus all my energy for it to make it succesful. so i am gonna make small adjustments and corrction on my existring animation and submit it...

[BiG ToE-3DT]

I'll make a final entry thread some time soon, for anyone ready to submit.

[Brimblashman]

Rah I'm gonna do this, am chained in front of my computer now and will get an animation done i swear...

[Brimblashman]

Got a wip video :) had to re do this a load of times due to lovely bluescreens and wotnot. Will hopefully get onto the face stuff later tonight.

www.brimblashman.com/video/3dt/SitNThinkTBprog.MOV